Archive for November, 2011

Coal Mines Safety Levels Improving

Nov. 18th, 2011

According to governmental data, U.S. coal mines have grown safer since the underground explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 miners about 18 months ago. Enforcement of regulations and better training by mining companies are helping to improve the safety of coal mines. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) oversees the nation’s 14,500 mines, including 2,000 coal mines. Joe Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor and head of MSHA said that the “efforts we’re making are having a positive impact on improving mine safety in this country.” After the mine accident in April of 2010, MSHA was criticized for not closing the mine, and started targeting mines that have a high level of violations or risks. Numerous mines were being shut down until sufficient improvements were made, causing violations to drop 51% since September of 2010 at those targeted mines, according to MSHA. In comparison to 2010, where 48 coal miners were killed, so far this year, 14 have been killed on the job. However, there are still opposing views. Spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, Phil Smith, said that while the union believed increased enforcement had caused operators to pay more attention to safety, fewer violations did not necessarily mean mines were getting safer. He says, “There are still many mines out there which are not following the law and appear not to care to do so. The mines weren’t any safer for the 14 coal miners killed thus far this year.” Several mining companies have advised that they are putting a greater emphasis on safety and that significant management changes have been made. Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, Larry Grayson, said that “if companies can’t police themselves, the government is going to make them comply with this high level of performance.” Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said that he thinks mines are safer due to enforcement and companies reviewing and improving safety systems independently. This effort on improved safety systems and enforcement will continue to decrease violations and fatalities alike. Resources: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904491704576572831496880862.html?KEYWORDS=safer+coal+mines

2011 ISN Annual Users Conference: Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert Gates

Nov. 8th, 2011

As our keynote speaker at the 2011 ISN Annual Users Conference, Dr. Robert Gates shares his perspective on key events in America’s history. He speaks about terrorist attacks and the ongoing overseas conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and provides insight on the strengths and weaknesses of other powerful countries. He shares stories from his time at the Pentagon and the White House, where he served under both Republican and Democratic presidents. His message is realistic but encouraging, reminding the audience that although the United States has made mistakes in the past, it is a nation with the ability to overcome obstacles. Gates has been a first-hand actor in major international events for over forty years. As an intelligence professional in the Central Intelligence Agency, Gates went on to serve under several U.S. presidents in various national security roles. He also served on the National Security Council and as the Director of Central Intelligence, and in 2002, he became the president of Texas A&M University. In 2006, President George W. Bush asked him to step in as Secretary of Defense, where he remained until July 1, 2011, under President Barack Obama. He has recently been named as the twenty-fourth chancellor of the College of William and Mary. Dr. Gates will follow in the footsteps of other distinguished chancellors, such as George Washington and Henry Kissinger, and most recently Sandra Day O’Connor. Resources: http://www.wm.edu/about/administration/chancellor/index.php http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/179603-obama-congratulates-gates-appointment-as-chancellor-at-college-of-william-a-mary http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/robert_m_gates/index.html

2011 ISN Annual Users Conference: ISN 10.0 Preview

Nov. 8th, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 ISN Annual Users Conference. At this conference we will be previewing ISN 10.0, the latest version of ISNetworld, scheduled to be released December 2011. We look forward to providing this more intuitive and user-friendly version of ISNetworld to you and your company. These updates have been made to ensure all subscribers can easily navigate the system, while also maximizing the additional benefits included in an ISNetworld subscription. We are hosting breakout sessions focused on 10.0 tutorials and demonstrations at our ISN Annual Users Conference. During these sessions, we are discussing several new features and enhancements of ISN 10.0. Here are some of the new enhancements: Comprehensive To-Do List Breadcrumbs allow for fewer clicks when navigating Advanced Reporting Tool Localization (time zone, miles/km, date format, spelling) Compatible with Microsoft IE7, IE8, IE9, and the latest versions of Safari, Firefox and Chrome browsers Homepage features a comprehensive To-Do List highlighting items requiring immediate attention As we prepare for the release, we have provided a number of ways for you to preview the new look and enhancements of ISNetworld, including an online video of ISN 10.0. If you are interested in providing feedback on ISN 10.0 enhancements, please contact the ISN Customer Service Team. We look forward to sharing ISN 10.0 with your company.

At the ISN Annual Users Conference, Doug Slitor, Acting Chief of the Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs, is presenting the new regulations and best practices for offshore operators and contractors as previously set forth by BOEMRE. BOEMRE, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, was reorganized on October 1 into two separate entities: the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Mr. Slitor explains the function and scope of these new bureaus’ work. Originally created from the former Minerals Management Service, BOEMRE’s intention has been to make the Gulf of Mexico safe for workers and the environment alike. Now as two distinct organizations, BOEM and BSEE play specific roles. BOEM focuses on resource identification, leasing, and compliance with environmental regulations. BSEE takes on the job of regulatory development, inspection, technical research, and enforcement of safety regulations. Another important component of BSEE’s work is oil spill response oversight, a function whose value was magnified after the Deepwater Horizon spill in April 2010. As part of its effort to encourage and regulate safe practices in the Gulf of Mexico, BSEE has created SEMS, Safety and Environmental Management Systems. It is mandatory for offshore operators to have a SEMS plan in place by November 15, 2011. Mr. Slitor also outlines SEMS expectations in his presentation. Elements of an approved SEMS plan include: Hazard Analysis, Emergency Response and Control, and a Contractor/Operator interface. Operators must also provide records of their contractors’ knowledge and training for the job they perform. ISN has partnered with its Owner Clients to use the Training Qualification (TQ) tool in ISNetworld in order to meet this requirement. ISN assists contractors in meeting TQ requirements set forth by their Owner Client by providing a comprehensive activity list, templates to organize and upload employee information, and step-by-step written instructions on how to meet SEMS requirements in ISNetworld. Resources: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/farewell-to-an-acronym/?scp=1&sq=bsee&st=cse http://www.boemre.gov/ http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/04/22/22greenwire-debate-on-protecting-oil-rig-workers-takes-a-n-82148.html?scp=1&sq=SEMS%20boemre&st=cse

Welcome to ISN’s 2011 Annual Users Conference. The ISN Annual Users Conference is an opportunity for Owner Clients, contractors, and other industry entities to come together and discuss best practices in contactor health, safety, and procurement. Owner Clients are sharing information on how their company uses ISNetworld to track and manage contractor compliance in industry breakout sessions. As every Owner Clients grades and use the system differently, each discusses the criteria to grade their contractors and the most important items in prequalification. During each industry breakout session, multiple Owner Clients provide insight to why they have made the decision to use ISNetworld, what requirements are considered in their contractor approval and a brief background of their company. Many Owner Client presentations discuss the importance for contractors to populate their company information on the dashboard, as this information is used to search for new contractors. Several examples include populating your company’s dashboard contact, Federal ID number, work types, and geography served. The forum will conclude with both Owner Clients and contractors providing feedback and answers on how their companies use ISNetworld. Industry Presentations and Owner Client Presenters: Refining/Chemical HollyFrontier, Stepan Company, SunCoke Energy, Hess, Valero, ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Midstream/Utilities/Power Generation TransCanada, KinderMorgan, Enbridge, El Paso, Buckeye, Koch Pipeline Upstream Marathon, CONSOL Energy, Denbury Resources, Stone Energy, El Paso E&P Manufacturing/Pharma/ Wood & Paper Bristol-Myers Squib, U.S. Steel, PotashCorp, Mosaic, Longview Fibre